16:00 IST, First day, Fourth month, 3079 PV | Lokava / Shesah-Human embassy / Shuttle

  After the ceremony, we head quickly back to our shuttle to pick up something special we prepared for the gala. This time we opted to just go in our uniforms, due to the special thing we have prepared. Extensive formalwear would just be a hindrance.

  We head towards the gala hall, which is on the complete opposite side of the embassy as the starport for some reason. I guess they want to entice any visitors with the beautiful views of the embassy. To be fair, it is quite beautiful.

  It is decorated in a mostly eastern human style, there also appear to be some trees similar to Sakura. A good impression to make upon any human visitors. After all, eastern culture has attained massive popularity ever since its meteoric rise back in the 20s following some pandemic that happened, details aren't all that important. With Sakura being a key theme, it's certain that any human visitors (including us) can really appreciate the view.

  I hear they even have some fancy bathhouses. Oh, how I would wish to visit one of those with Ray (who is very cute, if ya didnt know). Maybe we will get a chance before our departure tomorrow. I bet she would really enjoy them, she loved them back during our trip to New Tokyo. Though, she often ended up drinking and passing out. Causing a massive panic as the staff had to help me get her out of the bath so I could take her back to the hotel.

  Now that I think about it, even before Ray (who is very cute) was my very cute girlfriend, she was always a handful. I'm glad that I now get to deal with her handfullness (I don't think that's a word, who cares) as my girlfriend. I must be the luckiest person in the universe.

  “Darling, you've got that look again. Whatcha thinking about?”

  What a perfect time to answer with complete honesty, “Just about how you're quite a handful and I'm the luckiest person in the universe to have you as my girlfriend.”

  “Oh.”

  “Not quite what you were expecting to hear? Wanted me to talk about some grand plan for world domination? Sorry, but 70% of the time I'm just using this massive brain to think about you.”

  “Not exactly, but you know, we are about to give a very special performance to a large audience. We are currently on a rail going who knows how far to the other side of this embassy. I didn't quite expect you to just use such sweet words outa nowhere. It's almost like you're trying to start something.”

  “Hmm, what kinda things would I be trying to start, please elaborate.”

  Initae, who is riding right next to us interjects, “Please, do not elaborate. Definitely don't continue your ‘flirting’, if you can even call it that, on a public rail system right before you make an important public appearance.”

  “Aww, such a spoilsport. I guess the little god is just jealous that darling Ko called me the best girlfriend in all the universe.”

  “I am not jealous. I am simply saying that you should uphold some degree of decorum. Your representatives for all of humanity after all.”

  ‘Hmm, I think openly flirting is a good representation of humanity. It's not like human culture is super secretive about romance, is it?”

  “I can't say it is in this day and age. In the past it was far more tame. Perhaps you are just a few billion years out of date, Initae.”

  (mumbling) “Oh great, now they are tag teaming me. What did I ever do to get stuck with this pair?”

  “Hey, I heard that! You're the one that chose me, remember. It's up to you to find fun on our journey.”

  “Yeah, you kiddos sure know how to make it interesting at least. Though I'm sick of this constant flirting, go have fun at the gala by yourselves.” She then teleports away, probably into the gala hall to escape us. How fortunate, this means that I've got some extra undivided time to stare at Ray’s cute visage. She really is quite cute. It defies physics and reality itself really.

  We arrive at the gala hall, bringing our conversation to an end. The festivities have already kicked off. But that just makes it all the better. After all, what can be more impactful than just randomly showing up and stealing the spotlight? It's all a part of the plan, totally not just because we mistimed how long it would take us.

  We enter the grand gala hall and instantly, every eye and sensor in the room turns toward us. The crowd is mostly Shesah, but there is a fairly large Velz and Arkan presence as well. As is usual, there are very few Itokin.

  I spot Rigar and Emil over in the crowd. It seems that Rigar is assisting in fending off the relentless swarm that is chasing Emil, quite literally. Poor guy, really has it tough doesn't he. I'm glad I'm not a prince. Though, I guess I'll soon be a King, with a Queen though. Hmm, or maybe it should be Emperor instead, I'll have to discuss this with Ray (who is looking very cute by the way) later on. Perhaps during a nice bath.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  I immediately amp up our capes to maximum, we enter the hall looking like a couple stars just descended from the sky and walked inside. Though, I hope it looks more like we are a pair of moons. We kinda have leaned heavily into that moon aesthetic. To think, it all started with a pair of earrings.

  We tour around the room a bit. Many people ask about the cases that are on our backs, which we picked up back in the shuttle. We merely tell them to wait for the grand reveal, it's sure to be dashing. After all, with such a cute partner as Ray, how can it be anything but grand.

  Finally it's time for our grand performance to begin. We watched The Quartet do their own performance for a while. Giving them at least a chance to make an impression before we absolutely steal the show away. We heard that Luna quickly came in, made a small mark and left. I think we may have given her a fear of being in any social situation with us around.

  Which is fair enough, if she wants to be antagonistic and bitchy, well then we will just have to do so right back at her. Proportional response and all, I hear it's an important political strategy. Though, that's coming from Ray, who always seems to go for several times more than whatever we received.

  We make our debut onto the dance floor. Quickly, everyone in the room turns to give us attention. We give quick bows to our audience as the dance floor clears. It seems like everyone is very excited to see what kind of performance we have cooked up this time. After all, the main reason why we have made such an impact in political spheres was due to our original performance. So it makes sense that people have come to expect a certain level of quality.

  Which is great, because we intend to deliver upon those expectations.

  We place the cases from our backs on the floor and open them. Within are two objects.

  Spears, one purple, one silver.

  That's right, dancing also includes combat too! It will be as though two opposing moons are clashing. Or at least that's the theory. The main problem with this routine is that I won't be able to control both of us at the same time with my Inae. Thus, we have put in countless hours of practice for this routine.

  Thankfully, it also doubled as combat training, so Initae allowed us to include it in our typical training regime. Which was a nice break from her super duper intense program.

  We pick up our spears and square off. The room holds its collective breath.

  Falling in time with the music, that has somehow magically gotten way more dramatic. We begin.

  I move to thrust directly at Ray’s (cute) chest, though she easily follows the pattern.

  Dodging and circling around, she moves to strike at my back, with only millimeters to spare, I manage to parry her point with the shaft of my spear.

  The impact resounds across the room, overtaking even the music.

  We waste no time, and continue our movements.

  We exchange a complicated series of parries, thrusts, dodges and typical dance moves into the mix. Looking like we are truly just some moonlight that is clashing all across the dance floor. Moving at speeds no normal humans could ever hope to achieve.

  Unfortunately, due to physical limitations, we couldn't do any aerial moves. It is simply too hard for me to control my inae at distance with such precision and speed currently. Maybe some day in the future it will be possible.

  We clash about the dance floor for maybe ten minutes. Then we enter into our final sequence, which ends in a fantastic finisher move.

  We both circle around each other's points and end up nearly face to face. Our points at each other's throats.

  We quickly drop our spears and I grab Ray and sweep her into a grand bow. Of course, I end it off with a kiss.

  The crowd erupts into applause and cheers.

  It seems our performance did in fact live up to their expectations. Both of our faces are alight with smiles, and Ray (who is extremely cute) refuses to let go of my arm. I'm honestly not sure if it's some political move, if she just wants to hold on to me, or if she is dizzy from all the spinning. Maybe all three. I hope it's mostly the second one though.

  Ray reaches up and whispers into my ear, “Heh, we really showed them, huh darling?”

  I whisper back, “we sure did, you were so beautiful. Good thing I've staked my claim, otherwise you might turn into a female Emil.”

  “Dont tell me you haven't noticed, there are quite a few looking your way with that glint in their eyes. Don't sell yourself short. You were at least equally as beautiful as myself.”

  “Really, you can only concede that I was equally as beautiful?”

  “Of course, I am just simply that stunning. You should be proud to even have a fraction of my beauty, let alone match it.”

  “Darling, you're insufferable. I love you lots.”

  “I love you lots too, Mr. Jerkface.”

  “That wasn't very nice.”

  “Im not a nice girl, you know this.”

  We exit the dance floor, making sure to pack away our spears tightly. They were apparently ridiculously expensive to get custom made. No one makes spears designed for humans to wield, let alone in such vibrant colors. Combined with the fact that we needed them done within a month, I'm glad we don't have to foot the bill for this stuff. Though, I feel like that might change now that we are going to be getting a colony and all.

  So far the IEC or the Order have just been paying for everything we required. But now that we will hopefully have an income source, I expect that we will have to gain some wealth of our own. I wonder what methods we can use to make some good money.

  We exit the gala hall and drop our spears off back at the shuttle.

  Naturally, we then proceed to head to the bathhouses. Where we do some discussion, but a whole lot of other things too.

  By the time we make it back to our assigned quarters in the embassy. It's nearly seven (on the second day). We quickly pass out, ensuring to get a bit of cuddling in beforehand. It will be important that we get some sleep. The big trial two starts in a few hours after all. Wouldn't do good to show up to our first day as rulers half asleep.

  I'm sure that whatever this trial, and the future has to bring. Ray and I shall overcome it together. No, we will dominate it together. So, bring it on.

  End of Chapter 55